The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

CONNECT, INNOVATE, AND PROSPER: PHILIPPINES AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER DURING APEC 2025

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega with APEC SOM Leader Yoon Seongmee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 28 March 2025.

30 March 2025, Seoul - In preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit which will take place in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea later this year, Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with ROK officials in charge of APEC 2025. The Ambassador met with APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Leader Ambassador Yoon Seong Mee on 28 March 2025.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega congratulated Ambassador Yoon on the Republic of Korea’s successful hosting of the APEC1 SOM in Gyeongju, ROK. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also reaffirmed the Philippines’ support for the ROK’s APEC hosting year in 2025, including its theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper” which reflects the ROK vision for the future of the region and its priorities.

Having been posted in the Philippines, Ambassador Yoon Seong-mee recalled the long-standing and dynamic partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, and its key priority areas including in trade and investment, economic growth, and fostering regional cooperation. Both sides agreed to work closely together during ROK’s APEC 2025 hosting year, as the Philippines continues to advance its APEC priorities. Both sides also agreed on the importance of continuing discussions on the development of a skilled workforce through inclusivity, the adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, promoting sustainable development practices in tourism, and public-private collaboration for MSMEs.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also visited the APEC ROK Preparatory Office headquarters in Myeongdong, Seoul where she met with APEC Senior Managing Director Ambassador Kim Ji-joon.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega expressed her appreciation for hosting arrangements made during APEC SOM 1 in Gyeongju and looked forward to closer cooperation between the Philippines and the APEC ROK Preparatory Office during future APEC meetings scheduled in Busan, Jeju, Incheon, and Gyeongju. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also sought updates from the Preparatory Office on hosting arrangements and logistics for APEC member economies in preparation for a productive and impactful APEC 2025 Economic Leaders’ Week.

The Philippines continues to be an active member of APEC. The Embassy of the Philippines is likewise pleased to note that ROK, as host of APEC 2025, holds in high esteem Filipinos participating in the APEC meetings including those working in the APEC Secretariat in Singapore. END

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega with APEC Senior Managing Director Ambassador Kim Ji-joon at the Preparatory Office for APEC 2025 on 25 March 2025.

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR WELCOMES ANOTHER YEAR OF COLLABORATION WITH GOYANG SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL

Philippine Ambassador to the ROK Theresa Dizon-De Vega presents Goyang Special City Council Chairperson Woon Nam Kim with dáyo 이민자: Stories of Migration book project at the Philippine Embassy on 19 March 2025.

31 March 2025, Seoul – Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with Goyang Special City Council Chairperson Woon Nam Kim and the Council Steering Committee Chairperson Jae Ho Moon to discuss continuing engagement between the Philippines and Goyang City. The Philippines has taken part in the International Horticulture Show in Goyang, the next edition of which will be held in April 2025.

A delegation from the local government of Goyang has undertaken an official visit to the City of Taguig in 2023 as part of their international outreach for city-to-city engagement. Goyang City likewise hosted a special performance of the award-winning UST singers in 2023.

The Philippine Embassy likewise joins the annual Memorial Day commemoration in Goyang in June at the monuments which pay tribute to the valiant contributions of the Korean veterans as well as members of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) during the 1950s Korean War. Goyang is one of the pioneer smart cities established in Korea. END

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MOFA DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR ASEAN AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN AFFAIRS

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and ROK Director General for ASEAN and Southeast Asian Affairs Lee Dong-gy in Seoul, 25 March 2025.

28 March 2025, Seoul - Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with Director General for ASEAN and Southeast Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lee Dong Gy on 25 March 2025 to discuss bilateral engagement between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

During their discussions, both sides affirmed the excellent bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, as demonstrated by the elevation of relations to that of a Strategic Partnership (SP) in October 2024.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and Director General Lee affirmed the close and substantive ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, including our strong cooperation in areas like defense procurement, maritime cooperation, trade and investments, and culture. Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional developments, and reaffirmed the shared commitment by the Philippines and the Republic of Korea to the importance of dialogue and upholding and strengthening the rules-based international order. END

PHILIPPINES, REPUBLIC OF KOREA AGREE TO DEEPEN INDO-PACIFIC COOPERATION

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and ROK Special Representative for the Indo-Pacific Cecilia Eunhae Chung on 24 March 2025.

Seoul, 27 March 2025– Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with Ambassador Eui-hae Cecilia Chung, Special Representative for the Indo-Pacific Region at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to discuss the strengthening of bilateral ties and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

The meeting focused on deepening maritime cooperation between the two nations, with both sides agreeing to explore new projects and initiatives on maritime security, maritime domain awareness, and marine environment protection to help address complex challenges in the region. They emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure peace, security, and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific and agreed that continued dialogue and joint efforts would contribute to the long-term peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.

The Philippines is committed to enhancing cooperation with the Republic of Korea in key priority areas for the Philippines – Republic of Korea Strategic Partnership, including maritime security, economic cooperation, and promoting regional stability. END